Luke is eight years old, and a member of the Junior Club in Carlisle Youth Zone (CYZ). He used to be shy, and his mum thought that CYZ could be a good place for him to meet new people. He visited CYZ, and when climbing caught his attention, he decided to give it a go.

At first, he didn’t really want to come. He was a bit nervous about all the new faces. But slowly, things began to change.

Each session got a bit easier. He started chatting more, then came the friendships, the laughter… and that moment when he stopped hanging back and just joined in.

Luke turned out to be a really strong climber and was chosen by his school to represent them in a climbing competition. That was a great boost for his confidence.

When we went over to the climbing area for a short interview, Luke was already there, smiling, confident and clearly proud. He greeted us with a big grin, and it was obvious he wasn’t the same boy who’d started a few months earlier.

When we asked what he enjoyed most, his answer was simple: “Meeting new friends and playing together.”

His mum says she can really see the difference, not just in how he climbs, but in how he carries himself and connects with others. Climbing is now Luke’s favourite activity, and the place where he feels confident. His story shows that sometimes, all it takes is a little courage and that first step.